This year was the 45th Southern California Genealogical Society's Jamboree, a great gathering of attendees and presenters covering the entire spectrum of genealogical pursuits, from DNA to specific countries.

We're getting ready for the 45th annual SCGS Jamboree conference, organized by the Southern California Genealogical Society, which will be held June 5-8.

This year's theme is “Golden Memories: Discovering Your Family History.” The focus is on our European ancestors. Class sessions are scheduled for German, Irish, English/UK, Scotland, Eastern Europe, Italian, Mennonite, Swedish, and Russian, as well as African American and Jewish classes. An entire day (Thursday, June 5) is dedicated to learning about family history through DNA.

Who would have guessed that Hollywood would be part of this year's Jamboree theme in Burbank, California? This year, we are "Lights, Camera,ANCESTORS! Spotlight on Family History."

The event's regular attendees expect social media guru Thomas MacEntee's bling, and the geneabloggers' New Orleans-style beads and ribbons, but having the American Idol Top 10 in our hotel - in addition to auditions for another popular music show - is a great way to add life to a genealogy conference.

Three of the American Idol Top Ten finalists (from left): DeAndre Brackensick, Jessica Sanchez (#2) and Joshua Ledet (#3)

Sitting at the unofficial bloggers table with a famous geneablogger, Daniel Horowitz and Mark Olsen pulled up the American Idol 2012 website for a photo of the finalists.

Some 1,700 attendees are expected at Jamboree - the largest regional event in the US - and we're looking forward to meeting all of them! The MyHeritage team includes chief genealogist Daniel Horowitz, US genealogy advisor Schelly Talalay Dardashti, business development manager and genealogist Mark Olsen and quality assurance and technical support specialist Tara McIntosh.